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Thursday, January 18, 2007

I found these ads for Coca Cola and Corn Flakes in a 1934 National Geographic. The small print isn't too easy to read but I just loved these for what they emphasize. Click on the photo for a larger version to read the text. The Corn Flakes suggests their product as a supper for children. Also, why did the NRA endorse the Corn Flakes product? Coca Cola is so pure and natural.

Method:In a large skillet heat the oil and add the onions, smashed garlic and green chili. After some time add the smashed ginger until they are soft. Chili can be added as per how spicy you like it. When cooked through, add the quartered crab and cook until done (red shelled).

Spices can be purchased at a variety of stores. Fresh curry leaves are available at Dino's Grocery Mart on Notre Dame Ave. in Winnipeg.

Put all the ingredients onto a plate in a little pile. Sprinkle over the vinegar and mix to a paste with the fingers.Pat the masala evenly over the sides of the fish and marinate for minimum 1/2 an hour and better still for 4-5 hours.

When ready to Fry, Put 2 tablespoons oil in a pan on a high heat. Sprinkle the fish with a little(pinch) salt more on both the sides of fish , reduce the heat and add the fish. Dip fish in oil on one side, turn over onto the other side and back again so it doesn’t stick to the pan. Increase the heat medium flame and cook for 5 minutes on one side, then 5 minutes on the other.

Put all the ingredients together on a plate and mix with the fingers. Rub into the chicken breasts (skin off, but still on the bone and slashed). Marinate for a minimum of 1/2 hour - longer is better.

After each marination, add a bit of salt on both the sides that is a very small pinch ,as the salt that is added earlier will have been soaked in .

Heat some oil in a wok to a medium heat. Dip the pieces of chicken backwards and forwards in the hot oil so they won’t stick and continue to cook. Can be cooked in the oven also.If using in the oven just drip very little oil over the chicken piece.

Put 4 or5 tablespoons of oil in a frying pan. When the oil is hot add a couple of small bits of cassia and 2cloves, then add the onions and garlic paste and the green chilli. Stir for a minute or two and lower the flame. (Always lower the flame before adding any powdered spices.)

Add 1 teaspoon turmeric on top of the onions, stir, then increase the heat. (With a dry dish use less turmeric, and with a wet dish use more turmeric). Stir and cook for 5 minutes to cook the garlic. Add 1 well heaped teaspoon of crushed ginger, cook for 1 minute. Reduce heat and add 4 teaspoons of freshly ground corriander powder, stir for a few seconds then raise the flame to fry the corriander powder well so it loses its raw taste. (Chilli powder frys very fast, so only add it at the end.) Lower the flame again and add 1 semi-heaped teaspoon garam masala powder, then stir for a few seconds then raise theheat, stir again and fry the masala for 1 minute. Lower the flame, add 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, 1/4 teaspoon chilli powder (or 1/2 teaspoon paprika) then 1/2 teaspoon salt on top of the onions. Mix and raise the flame again.

Add the sliced tomatoes and stir. Fry to soften the tomatoes well for about 5 minutes. Add the chicken and coat well with the masala and tomato,and a little water 1/4 glass.And cook the chicken covered in medium flame , stir slowly in between when the chicken is cooked add the corriander leaves and just warm up a bit .( If you don’t want the dish to be too spicy, add 1/2 cup of coconut cream at the end.)

(If you want the chicken masala with sauce and not spicy you can add 1 cup of coconut cream in the end instead of 1/2 cup).when ready check the sauce for salt and sourness ,if needed could be added a bit.

Wash, top and tail the okra and make a slit with a knife on three sides. Mix the spices with your hands and toss the okra in the spice mixture and allow to marinade for 10 minutes. Just before serving, fry in a little butter or oil over a medium heat for 2-5 minutes. The okra will be slightly brown. Serve with fried chicken or fish fry and some potato fry.

Break the cassia into pieces. Heat a casserole on a high heat and add 1 or two tablespoon of oil . Lower the flame and add the cassia, cardamom and cloves, stir to pop. Add 1/4 teaspoon flat turmeric in very low flame , stir then add the washed and drained rice and raise flame and fry for a few minutes . Add 2 cups of hot water and 1/4 cup more, add a generousteaspoon salt the water should be salty. Cover and cook for approximately 10 minutes in medium heat or until the rice absorbs all the liquid. Remove the lid, stir, cover and leave to relax for 10 minutes.

Take the skins and ends off of the shallots and place them in a shallow baking dish. Add remaining ingredients and bake at 350ºF oven for up to one hour or until the shallots are soft. Enjoy in a number of options or as a garnish to meats and vegetables.

2. Dried Okanagan Cherry reduction1 cup tart dried Okanagan cherries *1 cup port1 tbs chopped fresh rosemary2 tbs butter1 cup dry red wine or portSoak cherries in port over night or for several hours.In a sauce pan, heat soaked cherries and add wine or port and rosemary. Bring to a boil and add butter. Remove from heat and purée. Use on tarts or as a drizzle for meats or poultry.

3. Sautéed Mushrooms1 cup button mushrooms1/2 cup fresh Shitake MushroomsGently remove the stems from the shitake mushrooms and slice all of the mushrooms. Sauté mushrooms in a small amount of good olive oil or butter. Add salt and pepper to taste. Near the end of cooking the mushrooms when they are soft thoughout, deglaze pan with a healthy splash of dry vermouth.

4. TartsPreheat oven to 375ºF. Assemble tarts by spooning a small amount of chevré into each shell. Add sautéed mushrooms and place caramelized shallots into each tart. Top with a teaspoon of cherry reduction. Bake for about 15 minutes or until pastry is browned. Enjoy hot, warm or cold. Can be prepared in advance.

Enjoy!

*Dried Okanagan Cherries are available in Winnipeg at DeLuca's Specialty Foods - Cooking School & Restaurant at 950 Portage Ave. (204)774-7617. For West Coast American relatives, Dried Washington Cherries are likely quite wonderful.